St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner! Maybe you've celebrated this holiday in the past by making shamrock crafts, looking for leprechauns, or wearing green to avoid being pinched. When I was a kid, troublesome leprechauns would sneak into our house and cause mischief by flipping furniture upside down, leaving gold coins in our shoes, and turning the milk green! But have you ever wondered why we celebrate this day or where these traditions come from?

The Origins of St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, has become a widely popular and well-known holiday in America. Its origins, however, are deeply rooted in Irish history and culture.

The holiday is a celebration of Saint Patrick, who is said to have introduced the religion of Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century. That's over 1,500 years ago! Today, however, the holiday is less connected to religion—St. Patrick's day has evolved over the years to become a general celebration of Irish culture through parades, food, dancing, and a whole lot of green!

St. Patrick's Day in America

So, how did this celebration of Irish culture make its way all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to the Americas? In the 18th and 19th centuries, many Irish citizens immigrated to America, bringing their traditions and customs with them. It was these immigrants who organized the first St. Patrick's Day parades as a way to connect with their heritage and culture.

St. Patrick's Day Symbols and Customs

One of the most common symbols of St. Patrick's Day is the color green. Green is a part of the Irish flag, and it's also the color of shamrocks, another common symbol of St. Patrick's Day, which grow all over Ireland's lush landscapes. Leprechauns are also a common theme amongst St. Patrick's Day celebrations. These little creatures come from Irish folklore, in which they are believed to hoard pots of gold at the ends of rainbows, only giving up their stash to anyone who's quick-witted and fast enough to catch them!

How you can celebrate this year

If you're looking for a way to celebrate this weekend, come grab some breakfast at City Eats, located in Action City, where we will be serving green pancakes with sprinkles! For lunch or dinner, try the reuben sandwich, our St. Patty's Day special this year, for only $10.99!